Let’s make a deal. That’s the perennial expectation of the Lloydminster Economic Partnership that aims to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with mutually beneficial business opportunities.
More deals were expected to be made at the 2024 event hosted by the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce at the WLS Convention Centre on Oct. 2, two days after the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
“This event started 12 years before Truth and Reconciliation, so we adopted the Calls to Action No. 92 to be a part of business reconciliation,” said Teri-Lynn MacKie, executive director of the chamber.
“Every year, we bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to develop partnerships and bridge those gaps. It’s important because we are finding the connections and the business deals are being made.”
MacKie says last year, more than $1.1 million worth of deals were made on the day of the event.”So we have tangible evidence showing, that bringing people together helps with the economic development,” she said.
MacKie says that means, Calls to Action 92 is actually working.
Milton Tootoosis who hails from Poundmaker First Nation says the event is especially important following closely on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation holiday.
“It’s immensely important for Canadians who don’t know the recent history of Canada including the residential school experience,” he said representing the
Saskatoon Region Economic Authority at the partnership.
“It’s also important in terms of solutions. I think a forum like this allows all of us to learn and connect and hopefully, make some decisions for economic reconciliation solutions.”
Tootoosis was among an audience of about 200 people experiencing an Indigenous Women Empowerment panel, business connection meet-ups, exhibitors and keynote speakers such as Cadmus Delorme, a former chief of Cowessess First Nation in Sask.
Delorme is now the founding partner of OneHoop Consulting Group and Flowing River Capital Group with business reconciliation the driving force.
“Today, everyone is seeking what reconciliation means to them personally, their business, and Canada,” said Delorme.
He said OneHoop is an advisory service that helps with reconciliation actions plans, and professional development.
Flowing River Capital Group provides private equity to help First Nations, Metis and Inuit entrepreneurs become owners of companies.
“We purchase companies in all different markets that relate to Indigenous procurement policies,” said Delorme.
From there, he said the idea is to get them to buy in as a minority owner with his company in the hope they buy it down the road.
“If not, we will sell it to maybe a non-indigenous owner,” said Delorme.
“When we purchase companies, we’re going to ‘Ingenize’ them with policies, bylaws, staff, and HR. We all understand what Indigenous means in a Canadian environment that still needs to be profitable and successful.”
On a personal note, Delorme was thrilled to be back in Lloyd where he won the 2011 Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur Men’s golf championship.
“I won it at the Lloydminster golf club, so it’s always good to be back here,” he said.
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